Improvement in ice-machines



A. JAS.

ICE MACHINE.

Patented June 6,1876.

Laye/Mr NV PETERS, PHDTU-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

UNTTED STATES PATENT QEETGE.

AUGUSTE JAS, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN ICE-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 178,300, dated J une 6, 1876 application led May27,1876.

ters Patent No. 168,500, I now provide that each of the serpentine divisions, which, as a whole, form the refrigerating-plates, may bemodified in such manner as to introducethe refrigerant into all the divisionssimultaneously, with the assistance of a single tubular or spherical receiver, provided with small tubes solidly united or otherwise connected with each division. Each division should likewise have an exit-passage to a similar tubular or spherical receiver, preferably of larger dimensions.

` The divisions need not be serpentine, especially in large machines. Each plate can be a single casting, as indicated in my Letters PatentiNo. 168,500, or may be formed of a series of tubes assembled closely together in order to facilitate the rapid circulation of the refrigerating agent-a feature particularly desirable in large machines; and in this case the upper and lower plates should each receive and discharge its own -quantum of the refrigerant independently of the other.

A plate embodying this improvement is represented in the accompanying drawing, which is a plan of the plate.

The plate proper A may be, as it is in this case, a single hollow casting, with partitions a cast therein, (indicated by dotted lines,) forming divisions, which connect by small conduits or tubes B with the tubular receiver C, that extends the length or thereabout of the plate. Each conduit B consists, in this instance, of twin or branch tubes, opening at two points, as shown, into the refrigerating-plate. The receiver is in communication with asource of supply of the refrigerating agent. On the opposite Aside of the plate is another receiver, D, that communicates with the refrigerating-plate A through conduits E. The refrigerant is supplied to the plate through the receiver C, and is discharged from the plate into the receiver D. The discharge conduits and receiver are 'all the plates of the apparatus.

of greater size than the supply receiver and conduits, to carry olf the refrigerant, which vaporizes and increases in volume during its passage through the plate. From the discharge-receiver the refrigerant is conducted back to the condenser. The partitions stop short of the edges of the plate, so that the refrigerant may circulate around the ends of, as well as between, the partitions. In casting the plate apertures are necessarily formed in its edges opposite the space lbetween each two partitions. Each alternate aperture, after casting is made and the cores are withdrawn, is plugged, and to the other apertures are applied the branch tubes B andE, as shown.

The described arrangement is applicable to Each plate, preferably, has its own set of independent supply and discharge receivers, &c.

In lieu of the particular arrangement described, the divisions, whether serpentine or not, may extend the length of the plate, instead of the width, as in the present case. This would, of course, necessitate a corresponding change in the positions of, the receivers, &c. n

I would observe that, under the system of' movable plates described in my Letters Patent No. 168,500, I can move either the upper plate or the under plate, provided they are both of the same dimensions; and in this way I obtain blocks of ice of the whole length of plates, and of any desirable breadth and thickness.

I can-also, in a chamber in the form of a congealer, arrange my plates vertically, and have both movable, suspending them by one of the sides, opposite the sides where entrance and exit of the refri geratin g agents are effected, on strong supports or rails, on which they will roll or move, being so actuated by mechanism leading to, and arranged to be operated from, the exterior of the chamber.

I can also, by means of ropes and pulleys connected with the vertical plates, and extending to the exterior ofthe con gealing-chamber, raise and lower the plates to facilitate detaching the ice, or for any other purpose. The refrigerant is supplied to and exhausted from each one of these plates by receivers arranged on opposite edges of the plate, and connected therewith, as hereinbefore explained; and the receivers are provided each with flexible tub-l ing, communicating with the machine outside of the congealing-chamber-an arrangement which permits them to be moved together or separately in any direction, either to accelerate the freezing operation, or to facilitate detaching the ice already formed. The plates which are brought near to each other at the commencement of the operation are followed by a partition, which runs on Wheels, and is packed With rubber at the top and bottom of' the chamber, for the purpose of concentrating the cold as far as possible. Partition and plates recede together in proportion as the blocks of ice become thicker.

Water is injected on the upper part of the the plates in such manner as to spread thereon, and to freeze from the two sides at once.

The vertical plates should be more or less rough on their freezing-surfaces, with a laterally-projecting flange at the bottom, in order to prevent the ice from falling from between them.

The horizontal congealer I, however, 'on the whole, prefer, for reasons given further on bcloW, and also because they are less costly, more easily worked, and less dangerous to the Workman, Who, in the vertical system, is compelled to enter the congealing-chamber in order to detach and remove the ice.

I would observe that, in connection With the freezing apparatus, the multiple condenser described in my Letters Patent No. 161,237, and the return coil or cooler described in my Letters Patent No. 168,501, will effect condensation of the refrigerating agent in proportion as itl vaporized.

The advantages desired from the apparatus described are very considerable.

The horizontal congealer can be employed to advantage in all ice making establishments, Without requiring any change in any other portion of the ice-makin g machinery.

The freezing takes placeinstantly-that is to say, by immediate contact of the Water with the refrigerating-sufaces, as explained in my Letters Patent Nos. 168,500 and 162,659, Without the intermediary of" non-congealable baths, which must first be brought to the desired temperature before congelation can be commenced.

With this apparatus the work may be for the day only, instead of day and night continuously, as is the case at present in most if not all ice-producing establishments.

Congelation is rapid, and the production of the machine is such as to render night-Work unnecessary. The apparatus, moreover, is cheap, and is available to any one who has a steam-engine, Water-power, or other motor at his command.

I claim- A refrigerating-plate, substantially as described, in combination with supply and discharge receivers, and intermediary conduits, whereby the refrigerant can be supplied siultaneously to the several divisions of said plate, substantially as set forth.

AUGUSTE JAS.

Witnesses:

ALBERT G. J ANIN, E. FIXARY. 

